My Deserted Island

I love computers. I also am quite fond of technology, in general. In fact, typically my biggest gripe about technology is that I often am disappointed by the rate with which it advances. Why can't I go to the store and by a personal robot akin to R2-D2 or C-3P0? Why don't we have Star Trek's transporter technology yet? Why hasn't Stark Industries announced repulsor technology yet?

Despite my technophilia, I have, recently, started to wonder if all of this advanced technology that has, effectively, made the world so small that people on remote locations half a world apart can video conference with each other (or pwn each other) in real time is merely increasing the general stress level of all parties concerned. Communication has become not just prevalent, but pervasive. Ironically, I am discussing this via the Internet - the single most prevalent and pervasive communication channel in the world.

I have even toyed around with the possibility of purchasing a small island somewhere and setting up "camp," so to speak, with a self-sustaining home powered by a solar panel array and wind power, with a garden that produces just enough food to support me and mine. To simplify.

Imagine... If you owned your home outright, your land outright... you had no use for a vehicle... your electrical needs were met (for free) by the sun and the wind... and you had, for all intents and purpose, no need (okay, little need) for money. Imagine the freedom this would provide. You could do any of several low-income things and generate enough money to get by.

Probably most ironic in this entire scenario is that I can't imagine attempting this without some sort of (reasonably high-speed) Internet access. If I were that removed from the bustle of everyday modern life, I would definitely need some way to communicate... and the Internet seems to do a good job of replacing telephones, televisions and newspapers.

Astromech Gallery - Astromech.net

About, say twenty or thirty years ago, computers were in an infantile 'hobbyist' stage; "Getting a computer" meant buying a motherboard (if that) and adding little electronic things to it. Some things were available in parts at different locations, but something had to be made from scratch. As time and technology raced each other, computers have become extremely commonplace, from being embedded in our everyday lives to being sold as fairly discrete units that can be bought in a single box at a store and after a little bit of color-coded setup, can do anything you could hope to do with a computer.

Except walk around. In my opinion, we are NOW with robotics where we were THEN with computers. The economy of course will play a part in the rate of technological advancement, especially in regards to those products which can be considered a luxury, but nevertheless, the robots of our favorite science fictions are waiting for us just around the corner. Will it be another ten years? Twenty? Thirty? That depends on you... ...and me. I personally have decided to embark on the creation of a new robotic friend. Perhaps he will put in some good words for me if they eventually take over!

Don't know any good robots? Perhaps you should start familiarizing yourself with a few